Keeping My Best Friend (Fated #5) (6 page)

“You’re home early,” Fiona said as I slammed the door.

“I’m home permanently.”

“What?”

“Not early. Permanently.”

“I heard you,” she said, setting her laptop down on the coffee
table.

“Well, maybe permanently isn’t the right word because I need to
start looking for a job apparently.” I pushed my palm against my forehead.
“Like yesterday I guess.”

“What happened?” she asked. “Did he fire you, too? For going to
the cops?”

“No,” I said, walking towards the couch. “I get the sense that
this wasn’t Chuck’s idea at all.”

“Sit down.” She scooted to the edge of her chair, her oversized
shirt falling over one shoulder.

I pulled my purse strap over my head and slumped on the couch
beside it.

“I’m not a mind reader.”

“Sorry,” I said. “I’m still kind of in shock.”

“So were you sent home or-”

“Yeah, by a letter on the door.”

“What did it say?”

“Premises closed until further notice.”

“What?”

“That’s literally all it said. There wasn’t even a phone number
to call or anything.”

“So what have you been doing the last few hours?”

“Well, Katie and Di were freaking out.”

“Yeah.”

“And saying all this stuff like we shouldn’t have gone to the
police and this was all our fault.”

“Uh-huh.”

“So I had to tell them it probably had nothing to do with what
we did, reminding them as best I could that it was the right thing to do.”

“Agreed.”

“And I had to tell them what I knew because they wouldn’t have
believed me otherwise.”

“Understandable.”

“So hopefully I don’t get in trouble for that because the cops
told me to keep my mouth shut.”

“I’m sure it will be fine.”

“So you calmed them down?”

“Eventually. Then I left Nathan a message, but he hasn’t gotten
back to me.”

“What about the clients?”

“Well, we stayed for a while and turned some of them away.”

“That sounds awful.”

“It was, especially because we had no idea what to tell them,” I
said, letting my head fall back against the couch. “And then we called as many
of the people we had numbers for as we could, but we didn’t have contact
details for everyone.”

“Cause they’re in the front desk.”

I nodded. “It’s a fucking mess.”

“Jesus, Lucy. I’m so sorry.” 

“And I know this place is no castle, but it’s more than we can
afford without either of us working.”

“I’m sorry I haven’t found anything yet. I-”

“It’s not your fault. I know you’ve been trying.”

“What are we going to do?”

“Get any job we can as fast as possible.”

She nodded.

“And if that doesn’t work, sell our eggs.”

“Okay. I thought you were going to say organs in which case I’d
rather not, but my eggs I can part with.”

I laughed. “I’m glad you have standards.”

“Well, I’m kind of attached to my organs.”

“Understandable.”

“But my unborn kids are probably brats anyway.”

I shook my head.

“The farther I can get ‘em from me the better.”

“Seriously though, any leads?”

“There were two new job listings today.”

“Where?”

“One’s a salon at the end of the pink line.”

“Ugh.”

“And the other’s at the end of the green line.”

“Which end?”

“South.”

“Well that one’s out.”

“Why?”

“Cause there’s no money in the world that could get me excited
about doing weaves and braids all day. I’ll have arthritis before I’m thirty.”

“I know, but beggars can’t be-”

“Choosers, I know. But we don’t have to beg yet,” I said. “We
can make the rent for a few months before it comes to that.”

“Remember the good old days when a single night of babysitting
set you up for a good week?”

“Maybe that’s what we should do.”

“Babysit?”

“Yeah, get all the girls from the salon and start out own Babysitter’s
Club.”

Fiona smiled. “Can I be Claudia?”

“Sure,” I said. “I’ll be Dawn.”

“You can’t be Dawn. She’s blond.”

“I’ll change it. Whatever.”

“I was thinking you’d be Kristy,” she said.

“I’m not nearly bossy enough to be Kristy.”

“Whatever you say, Kristy.”

“Ha Ha. Very funny.”

“I thought so anyway.”

“I suppose now would be a good time to call Aiden and see if he
can get me some wedding gigs.”

“Wouldn’t hurt.”

I blew some air out from between my cheeks.

“It’ll be okay, Luce.”

“I know,” I said. “I’m just so sick of things being okay. I want
things to be amazing all the time. Is that so much to ask?”

“It’s cause your love life is going so well. Something else had
to give to make up for all that goodness.”

“Yeah, life’s a bitch.”

“So you don’t think the salon is going to open back up?”

“The sign didn’t exactly give off a
be back soon
vibe.”

“But they can’t just fuck over all the girls that work there
like that. I mean, Di’s a single mom.”

“I know. Trust me. She went on about it all morning.”

“Couldn’t someone else run it? Even if Chuck’s not there?”

“That’s what I said in my message to Nathan, that it’s not just
our jobs. We could lose all our clients as well.”

Fiona nodded.

The sound of my ringing phone spilled out of my purse, and I
rooted around until I found it.

“Nathan!” I said, making eyes at Fiona. “Thanks so much for
returning my call.”

“No problem,” he said in my ear. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get back
to you earlier.”

“What can you tell me about this notice?”

“Well, I just got off the phone with one of the officers you met
this weekend.”

“Uh-huh.”

“And they couldn’t tell me much.”

“No surprise there.”

“But it seems like Chuck’s been taken into custody.”

“Do you know if they’re going to release him or-”

“No, but I think it’s safe to assume he won’t be opening the
door back up if they do.”

“Could I open the doors?” I asked. “So we’re not all out of our
jobs? I mean, we have months and months worth of appointments already on the
books.”

“I know, and I’m not sure what to tell you about that. There
might be a settlement that comes out to compensate you and the other employees
for what’s happened, but I wouldn’t plan on it because nothing’s guaranteed.”

“So no one can run the business in the meantime?”

“Between you and me Lucy, I don’t think it’s a good idea to get
wrapped up in that.”

“Why?”

“Cause I think you’d be taking over something far more
financially and legally unstable than you realize.”

“So what should I do?”

“If you were my kid, I’d tell you to look for a new job.”

“And as your client?”

“The best I can do is ask you to sit tight. In the meantime, I’ll
try to find out as much as I can about the fate of the salon and the status of
the sexual harassment case.”

“Thanks, Nathan.”

Fiona was leaning back in her chair with her ears perked up like
a cat’s.

“Sorry I can’t do more to help,” he said.

“It’s okay. I know you’re doing the best you can.”

“I’ll keep you posted,” he said. “Take care of yourself.”

“Will do.” I hung up the phone and dropped it on the couch.

“Well?” Fiona asked.

“He talked to the cops, but they didn’t give much away.”

“And what did he say when you suggested you take over the basic
managerial stuff for the time being.”

“He seemed to think that was a terrible idea.”

She tilted her head. “Why?”

“I guess because Chuck was even shadier than we realized.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

“Seems like the place is in financial and legal ruin as far as
Nathan is concerned.”

“Jesus.”

I sighed. “So the bad news is, I still have no job.”

“What’s the good news?”

“I won’t be going back there,” I said. “Cause that is not an
option.”

Fiona covered her mouth and shook her head. “Well on that note,
there’s vodka in the freezer.”

“What chasers do we have?”

“Coke. Orange Juice.”

“Any cranberry?”

“No, but if that’s what you want, I would be more than happy to
go get it for you.”

“Maybe we could also get some cookie dough.”

“The kind that comes in the tube?”

“Yeah,” I said. “It’s been too long since I had some of that.”

Fiona smiled at me through sad eyes. “I’ll get my shoes.”

I took the morning off to go in and sign the lease, and while
there were a few tweaks I wanted to make to the place before I showed it to anyone
else, it felt good to slip the extra keys on my keychain.

I checked the time when I left Nick’s office. I was hoping I’d
have time to see if Lucy wanted to grab lunch, but I would’ve been cutting it
too tight considering I could never say good bye to her as easily as I
predicted.

Plus, I wanted to be on my best behavior so that when it came
time to leave the team, I was in good standing with everyone. After all, if I
played my cards right, the college would be a great source of referrals for me
going forward, referrals that would help me hit the ground running.

I raced towards the campus, hoping I’d at least have a few
minutes to give Lucy a call and tell her the good news. I pulled into my usual
space with plenty of time to spare. Tommy’s car was already in the stadium lot,
along with two of the coaches’ cars, but they were always earlier than the rest
of the team so I knew I had plenty of time.

I dialed Lucy’s number and waited anxiously for her voice to
break the monotonous ringing.

“Hello there,” she said.

“Hello yourself.”

“You at work?” she asked.

“Actually I took the morning off.”

“And you didn’t invite me?”

“I had an appointment.”

“Everything alright?”

“Everything’s great actually.”

“Who’d you have to see?”

“Nick.”

“The realtor guy?”

“Yeah.”

“You sound happy? You have some good news or something?”

I smiled. “Guess who’s the proud owner of two thousand square
feet of office space in Baylesbury Park?”

“Hmmmm.”

“Me!”

“Congratulations, Aiden. That’s wonderful news.”

“I know. I’m so excited to start decorating the place and hiring
and doing all the little things I haven’t realized I’ll have to do.”

“I bet.”

“I can’t wait to show it to you.”

“I can’t wait to see it,” she said.

“You on your lunch break right now?”

“Sort of.”

“What does that mean?”

She blew air out from her lips so loudly it sounded like she was
holding the phone out of a moving car window.

“What?” I asked.

“I’m sort of on a perpetual lunch break.”

“A perpetual lunch break?” I let my head fall back against the
headrest. “What does that mean?”

“It means I don’t have a job anymore.”

“What are you talking about? Did Chuck fire you, too?” I gripped
the wheel. “He didn’t try anything, did he? Oh my god Lucy if he fucking
touched you I swear I’ll-”

“No. It’s nothing like that.”

“So what happened?”

“I just showed up the other day and there was a sign on the door
that said the salon was closed until further notice.”

“Closed?”

“Nice, huh? I guess the police took Chuck into custody.”

“Shit.”

“I know. I’m starting to think he might be a pretty bad dude.”

“So the salon is just closed? That’s it?”

“That’s it,” she said. “I suggested to Nathan that he see if we
could open it up and one of us girls could manage it.”

“Yeah.”

“But he thought it was a bad idea. Said it was a mess we shouldn’t
take on.”

“Jesus, Lucy.”

“I know.”

“When was this?”

“Two days ago.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m telling you now.”

“Yeah,” I said. “But before. Why didn’t you tell me right when
it happened?”

“Cause I was busy.”

“Busy doing what?”

“Drinking vodka and eating cookie dough with Fiona.”

I smiled. “I guess you’re entitled.”

“I thought so.”

“So what now?”

“Now Fiona and I are enjoying each other’s company while we look
for work from inside our suddenly very expensive feeling apartment.”

“I’m so sorry, Lucy.”

“It’s going to be okay.”

“Of course it is.”

“We’re a long way off from having to sell our bodies.”

“If you change your mind, I’m prepared to keep you in business.”

“Thanks, Aiden. That’s very sweet.”

“I didn’t mean it to be.”

“I know,” she said.

“I feel like a dick now.”

“Why?”

“For bragging about my new place when you’re at home considering
prostitution.”

“I’m not really considering it.”

“Good. Cause it would never work anyway.”

“Why not?”

“You’d have to price yourself out of the market.”

“I’m that good am I?”

“Better.”

“Thanks.”

“Unfortunately, that doesn’t change the fact that I feel like an
ass.”

“You shouldn’t,” she said. “You’ve worked really hard to get to
this point.”

It was nice of her to say, but a lot of my achievements were
strictly down to luck.

“And knowing you’re that much closer to your dream is a win for
me too,” she said. “I’m really proud of you.”

“Thanks.”

“I know this is going to be the beginning of a wonderful career.”

“Hopefully.”

“Before you kick things off, could I ask you a favor?”

“Anything.”

“Would you remind Claire that I’m available to do her friend’s
hair for their weddings? Bridesmaids, too. Even mother of the bride, flower
girls, catering staff-”

“So basically anyone’s hair?”

“Yeah,” she said. “You don’t need to mention that I’m between
jobs or anything. Just that I’m available to help.”

“Of course,” I said. “I’m sure she’d be delighted to spread the
word.”

“Thanks.”

“No worries.” I pursed my lips. “Lucy?”

“Yeah?”

“You know I’d never let you lose your place or sell your body.”

“To anyone but you?”

“Okay, I admit I was thinking it, but I wasn’t going to say it.”

“I know you too well.”

“Seriously though,” I said. “Everything’s going to work out.”

“I know.”

“I’m sure the universe has something really good lined up for
you to make up for this shit.”

“It would be pretty crap if it didn’t.”

“I have a good feeling about it.”

“Maybe you should ask your Magic 8 Ball?”

“I don’t have to. I already know what it would say.”

“What’s that?”

“Outlook good.”

“I’ve never wanted that thing to be more right.”

“You want to get dinner tonight?”

“Not tonight,” she said. “Maybe this weekend?”

“Sure,” I said. “Whatever you feel up for.”

“Thanks.”

“Maybe I could show you my new office while we’re out?”

“I’d like that.”

“Yeah?”

“Of course.”

“How about I pick you up Saturday afternoon? I’ll take you to
see my new office space and then we’ll get some dinner- drinks- make a night of
it.”

“Only if I can get good and drunk and crash in your comfy bed.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Great,” she said. “That will give me something to look forward
to over the next few days while I come to terms with the fact that if the whole
world goes bald, I’ll have absolutely no relevant skills with which to feed
myself.”

“That’s not true,” I said. “There’s always modeling.”

She laughed. “Oh yeah. I forgot I’m expecting a growth spurt any
minute now.”

“Or being my sex slave. That offer’s still on the table.”

“I’d rather model.”

“Ouch,” I said. “That’s really saying something.”

“Again, it’s just the slavery part I take issue with.”

I sighed. “Oh well. A guy can dream.”

“Dream on, lover boy. Dream on.”

“I’m ashamed to admit how much I like when you call me that.”

“I’ll call you anything you want on Saturday.”

“I need to go before you say anything else like that. If I walk
into the locker room with a hard on, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Fair enough,” she said. “Congratulations again.”

“Thanks. See you Saturday.”

I stared at the phone in my hand until the little picture of her
smiling face disappeared. Then I took a deep breath. It killed me to think of
her feeling sorry for herself at home in her pajamas.

Actually, I quite liked the thought of her in her pajamas. And
she probably wasn’t sulking. She was probably getting on with things like she
always did. After all, she was tough and she worked hard. This was only a minor
setback, one we’d probably laugh about someday.

Besides, little did she know, her luck was about to change.